Portsmouth– Transfer News & Npower Championship Preview

New owners have come in yet again to Portsmouth to settle the luckless club who have had a succession of owners over the past two seasons. This time, things looks to be more stable and there has been some transfer activity that Steve Cotterill will have enjoyed. He has stated he has yet to finish and expects to sign a couple more players before the window closes. With a squad of just 15 full time professionals, he will have to!!

Greg Halford has made his deal a permanent one from Wolverhampton Wanderers. He spent much of last season at Fratton Park and became a favourite in the middle of the park with the fans. Stephen Henderson comes in from Bristol City as No 2 goalkeeper with Jamie Ashdown, David Norris is a 30 year old midfielder who joins from Ipswich Town. Jason Pearce was an ever present defender last season for Bournemouth and Striker Luke Varney has made a £750k switch from Derby County. He was playing Premier League football on loan to Blackpool last season and is a much needed striker to partner Dave Kitson and Kanu if he continues.

The out door has certainly been the busiest as Portsmouth try to rid themselves of the last players sat on huge wage contracts from the previous regimes. Micheal Brown, David Nugent, Richard Hughes and Nadir Citfci are four outgoing player. Hughes having been a long term servant to Portsmouth has simply been released.

As much as the club, management and team have set their sights on a play off place and return to the Premier League, there is a lot of work to be done both on and off the pitch, and this squad needs building. So threadbare was it last season, that they couldn't even name a full subs bench for much of the season.

6/1 for relegation could turn out to be a big price at the end of the season. This is a strong division this season and Portsmouth look like they are amongst the six weakest sides in the division. Forget Winning the league or indeed getting promotion through the play-offs.

Recommendation: Back Portsmouth at 6/1 for Relegation